Page 116 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - SEPT 2025

Mobility & transport

Enhancing the tural heritage sites.
But nowadays, ports do more. They are
taking on new roles that supplement,
competitiveness rather than replace, their traditional
ones.
Ports are hubs of energy. Many ports
of Europe’s ports in Europe are instrumental in secur-
ing Europe’s energy supply and play
an increasingly important role in host-
is an enabler ing the production, facilitating the
storage and conversion, importing
and exporting of new fuels and ener-
of Europe’s gies. They are, in effect, a catalyst in
realising Europe’s energy and climate
ambitions.
ambitions Seaports also cluster important indus-
tries or serve as transit points to these
industry clusters in the direct hinter-
land. As unique links between land and
sea, they are crucial to all sectors of the
blue economy.
Finally, due to the current geopoliti-
cal context, the crucial role of ports as
facilitators of military mobility and as
partners in stepping up Europe’s pre-
paredness and resilience strategy is
coming to the forefront.
As such, ports are at the centre of the
challenges Europe is facing in terms of
climate change, trade barriers, geopo-
I was asked to share the vision of the European litical threats, and looming conflicts.
Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) on how to strengthen They are more than ever needed to build
the competitiveness of Europe’s ports. a sustainable, strong, smart, and
Before answering this question, I believe I should first resilient Europe. So, safeguarding and
set out why it is essential to safeguard and further further strengthening the competitive-
strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s ports. ness of EU ports is a prerequisite for
reaching Europe’s ambitions.

Ports in Europe are instrumental How can we safeguard and further
in realising Europe’s ambitions in strengthen the competitiveness
terms of sustainability, competitive- of Europe’s ports?
ness, and resilience. You all know In ESPO, we have been reflecting on
that Europe’s seaports are gateways this question as part of our contribu-
to the world and are at the cross- tion to the forthcoming EU Ports Strat-
roads of global supply chains. They egy, which is due to be announced at
connect maritime transport with the the beginning of 2026. As you might
hinterland through various modes know, the forthcoming EU Ports Strat-
of transport. They ensure the mobil- egy will be a comprehensive Commis-
ity of people, citizens and travellers, sion document that will follow the wish
connecting cities and regions and of the European Parliament to address
are indispensable lifelines between foreign investments in strategic port
Europe’s mainland and its islands and infrastructure in Europe and to look at
by Isabelle Ryckbost, peripheral regions. Ports often play how the competitiveness of Europe’s
Secretary General a pivotal role as enablers of tourism ports can be strengthened.
of the European Sea Ports Organisation
in Europe, both by facilitating cruises Let me share with you our main priori-
and by being the ferry port of call ties regarding the strengthening of our
for many tourist destinations and cul- ports’ competitiveness:

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